Machine for the preparation of beverages

Abstract

The machine (M) comprises electric heaters ( 15, 42 ) suitable to heat an amount of water for preparing hot beverages to a preset temperature; a first unit ( 1 ) for preparing and delivering a first hot beverage, particularly coffee, including a bearing structure ( 3 ) wherein at least one extraction assembly ( 4 ) is mounted which is suitable to accommodate a capsule or pod containing a substance for preparing the first beverage, particularly roasted ground coffee, and an underlying movable dispenser ( 21, 22 ) which is capable of taking at least first and second delivery positions, and a second unit ( 2 ) for preparing a beverage by means of centrifugation, which is arranged adjacent the first unit ( 1 ) and including a vessel ( 26 ) to receive an amount of the first beverage from the dispenser ( 21, 22 ) of the first unit ( 1 ), when this dispenser ( 21, 22 ) is in a preset delivery position, and optional further substances, and a motor-driven centrifuge assembly ( 28 ) including a stirring member ( 36 ) suitable to be introduced into this vessel ( 26 ) and be operated therein to stir the contents thereof, the stirring member ( 36 ) having a longitudinal duct ( 39 ), the outlet thereof ending within the vessel ( 26 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A machine for preparing beverages, comprising,
 an electric heating unit for heating an amount of water to a preset temperature for preparing hot beverages, having a first heater and a second heater; 
 a first unit, for preparing and delivering a first hot beverage, including:
 a bearing structure wherein at least one extraction assembly is mounted which is suitable to accommodate a capsule or pod containing a substance to prepare said first beverage, and an underlying pivotally movable dispenser which is configured to take at least first and second delivery positions, 
 a first pump connected to said first heater and configured to supply a water flow to the extraction assembly of said first unit; and 
 
 a second unit, for preparing a beverage by centrifugation, which is arranged adjacent said first unit and including:
 a vessel for receiving from the dispenser of the first unit an amount of said first beverage, when said dispenser is in a preset delivery position, 
 a motor-driven centrifuge assembly comprising a motor coupled by a transmission to a stirring member configured to be introduced into said vessel and be rotatably operated therein to stir the contents thereof, said stirring member having a longitudinal duct, the outlet thereof ending within said vessel, 
 a second pump connected to said second heater and selectively operable to supply a hot steam flow to the inlet of the longitudinal duct of said stirring member through said transmission, 
 
 wherein the first heater is associated with said first unit and configured to heat a water flow passing therethrough to a preset temperature, and said second heater associated with said second unit and configured to convert a water flow passing therethrough to steam. 
 
     
     
       2. The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said first heater is an instant electric heater and said second heater is an instant electric heater. 
     
     
       3. The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said first heater is fixed to said bearing structure. 
     
     
       4. The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the second heater has the outlet thereof connected to a further heat exchanger which is connected to said second heater in a heat-exchange relationship. 
     
     
       5. The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said electric heating unit comprises at least one pressure boiler suitable to produce water and steam. 
     
     
       6. The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the dispenser of the first unit is pivotally mounted about an vertical axis between at least said first and second delivery positions. 
     
     
       7. The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the centrifuge assembly comprises an electric motor coupled to said stirring member by a belt transmission. 
     
     
       8. The machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the stirring member is provided with an end impeller. 
     
     
       9. The machine according to  claim 2 , wherein said first heater is fixed to said bearing structure in a heat-exchange relationship therewith.